To Live And To Die

C.S. Lewis

2010-12-21T10:45:00.001-08:00

“Those who cannot conceive Friendship as a substantive love but only as a disguise or elaboration of Eros betray the fact that they have never had a friend.”

Art is different...

2008-04-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

In life there are absolutes. There is right and wrong, truth and falsehood, fact and fiction, righteousness and sin. The earth is in fact round and the sky does in fact appear blue. Life does require water to survive. If your head gets cut off, you will die. In life there are absolutes... and then there is art.

Art is different. There are no absolutes in art. There is no such thing as "good art" and "bad art", no set of prescribed rules or regulations to measure arts inherent worth. Sure, people try. We have important people called critics who's life goal is to take art and critique it, pick it apart, say whether it is good or bad, right or wrong. But it's all in vein. Two different people could listen to the same piece of music. The first might say, "How magnificent!" and the second, "That was horrible!" They could watch a film and the first could say, "Crap!" and the second say, "Perfect!" Which one is right? It's all opinion. And differences in opinion are good, because everyone has different tastes. Some people like coffee, others don't. But just because you don't like a piece of art doesn't make it "bad".

That is why art should be made for the artist's sake, not the audience. Art should be a direct overflow of the artist. It should be the reflection of an emotion, opinion, idea, concept that is part of the artist. And only the artist knows what he is actually thinking or feeling and the best way to convey that. After all, that is what art is, right? Expression? An artist, a true artist does art because he has to express something, not because he cares what other people think about what he's doing. Who cares what they think! I guess that is a huge problem that I have with a lot of so called "art" today. You know, people who write a poem or paint a painting because they think it is what the audience wants to see or hear. They don't do it because it means anything to them, only because it will get a positive reaction from whoever they care about. Maybe it will make them a lot of money.

That is the whoring of art! When art becomes a pay check or a self-esteem boost for narcissistic people that crave compliments and not a reflection of the soul, it becomes void, barren, shallow, cheap... it becomes not art. So call it "a pretty picture" or " a nice piece of music" or "an entertaining movie"... but don't call it art!

In 1925, Richard Strauss, the famous composer wrote "Ten Golden Rules for Young Composers". Rule number one: "Bear in mind that you are not making music for your own pleasure, but for the pleasure of you audience."

Well Richard, if your only goal is to sell tickets and make money, then yes, that is true. But if it is to be an overflow of who you are as a person, a way to express the inexpressible, to say what words can't say... to be art... then you couldn't be more wrong.

On Saturday...

2008-03-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

I go to Colorado! This will be my 8th time skiing out there and it looks like it could be the best snow I've ever had! Can I just say that I am EXCITED!?!?!?!

Before I Die...

2008-03-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

So I know that lame movie, "The Bucket List" just came out and it seems like I'm just copying that idea. Well, I'm not. Believe me if you want. I do have certain dreams that I would like to accomplish in this life and these are the ones I can think of now. I may add more later...

Publish a piece of original music.

Write a screen play

Learn the Bass

Make a movie

Camp in Alaska

Write a non-fiction book

Visit New Zealand

Be an extra in a movie

Play keyboards for a funk band

Compose a symphony

Write a fiction book

Live on the West Coast

Learn to surf

Compose a movie soundtrack

Preach the gospel to a large crowd

Road trip across the country

Ski Whistler

Read David Copperfield

A quote to ponder

2008-02-25T06:36:00.000-08:00

It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it is still there. So get out there and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains. Run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space." ~ Edward Abbey

How true, how true...

It's cold and I want to golf!

2008-02-19T15:12:00.000-08:00

I've been away for awhile. I mean, not from home, but from here... anyway, thats not important.

It's been winter for a long time now, and I am to the point where I am SO ready for spring. Don't get me wrong, I love winter and snow. I am going skiing in Colorado in about a month and I can't wait for all the glorious snow that will greet me on those amazing mountain slopes. But seriously, a person can only handle so much -10 degree weather without wishing that it was at least 10 or 15 out, you know?

One of the things that I am missing most about warm weather is golf. I know, I know, you think golf is lame, for pansies, a waste of time, not a real sport, yada-yada-yada. Well I don't care what you think, I like it. In fact, I probably dislike a lot of the same things about golf that you do. I hate how expensive it is. I hate the people behind you that act like they are in a hurry to get to the next hole because it might be gone when they get there. I hate the whole country club, yuppy, rich, spoiled-brat atmosphere that so often accompanies this wonderful past time. I am not one of those knicker-wearing snobs that talks about buying/selling stocks and portfolios while riding in my electric golf cart with a martini. YACK! No, I just love being outside in the sun. I love to golf in a beat up t-shirt and shorts without any shoes or socks. I love the feel of the grass under my feet and the breeze in my face. I love walking up and down the fairway lazily and without a care, the sensation of the sand traps and the greens on my toes, the feel of hitting a ball square in the sweet spot and watching it soar through the air.

To me, golf epitomizes the essence of summer; laid-back, carefree, chill. I miss that right now.

Predestination: Cruel or kind? - or - Predestined for freedom!

2008-01-29T14:14:00.000-08:00

Predestination is one of the most hotly debated topics within Christianity. Churches, families, denominations and friendships have been split up and ruined because people cannot seem to agree on whether we choose God or God chooses us. So I am going to start by saying that you can TOTALLY disagree with me on what I am about to say and still be my friend. Please still be my friend! Having said that, you may ask, "Well if this is such a touchy topic, then why write on it at all, Nick?" Well here are my reasons for writing on this particular subject. There are at least 3:

1. I believe that the FULL glory of God is at stake within this doctrine. More on that later.

2. I think that many Christians are hostile towards this doctrine because it is misunderstood and often misrepresented. I do not necessarily aim to change your mind if you disagree. However, I do aim to give a clear, fair, and accurate presentation of predestination and election.

3. I find that this doctrine of predestination/election (pretty much the same thing, just different words) gives me so much hope, joy, peace and courage. This is such an amazing, glorious truth (I believe) that I can't help but share it with you!

First, a definition so that we understand what is being talked about. The doctrine of predestination states that before the foundation of the world was laid, before time ever existed, before anything, God chose those who would be His children. He planned in advance those whom he would save from hell, those who would become Christians.

I want to start by showing that this is a biblical doctrine. This is not something that people just made up to get everyone all riled up. It is in the bible.

"And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed." ~ Acts 13:48

"To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints." ~ Romans 1:7 (Notice that not everyone is called to be a Saint.)

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in oder that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. An those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." ~ Romans 8:28-30

"What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." ~ Romans 9:14-16 (All of Romans 9 is very helpful.)

"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In LOVE he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." ~ Ephesians 1:4-6

"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will..." ~ Ephesians 1:11

"And all who dwell on earth will worship it (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain." ~ Revelation 13:8

This is just a sampling of verses. There are many more, but I don't have room. But, I think that we can gather from these verses that God does in fact predestine people to be His children.

Now, some people have said to me, "But that just isn't fair. How can God still be a loving God and then go and chose some people to save and not others?" Here is my answer to that. The fact is, folks, that absolutely none of us deserve to be saved from hell anyway. We all deserve hell for eternity! (Rom. 3:23; 6:23) In fact, if God was going to be totally fair, he would just let us all go to hell and get what we deserved. That would be absolutely fair! But he doesn't! He lovingly chooses some of us to save from eternal punishment. Why? I don't know, but he does!

But someone else will say to me, "But then God is playing favorites!" No he isn't. Just because God chooses someone does not mean that he has to chose anyone else. Once again, we are all equally wicked and equally deserving of eternal punishment. But God decides who he will save. Ephesians 1 says this when it says that, "... he chose us according to the purpose of HIS will." You see, we live in a democracy where all people have equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And it's good! But if you take that love of democracy and try to apply it to our relationship with God, then you will ruin Christianity. Why? Because no one has ANY RIGHTS with God. We don't have any! And so no one can say, "I deserve to be saved!" No one does!

"But what about my free will to choose God?" someone may say. But I would say to that person that they do not have a biblical view of free will. The bible says that our nature is so sinful and wicked that it is IMPOSSIBLE for us to choose God. The fact is that our will is actually in complete bondage to our sinful nature. (Rom. 3:9-18; 8:7-8) Paul wants us to see it like this: We are spiritually dead. (Eph. 2:1) Sure, we are physically alive but spiritually, before we trust Christ, we are spiritually dead. Dead people can't choose to become alive! All they can do is continue in there deadness. Paul also says that we are spiritually blind. Blind people can't choose to follow a light they can't see. So really, before Christ, our will is not free at all. But then, 2 Corinthians 4:6 happens to us. And O, how glorious it is! "For God, who said, 'Let light shine our of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus christ." So God chooses to remove our blindness and suddenly, we see Jesus! We see the most glorious light in the world, and we can't help but to FREELY choose it! When God chooses us, he is predestining us to freedom. Only when 2 Corinthians 4:6 happens are we finally free to choose God. And just like Jesus said in John, "Lazarus, come out!" to the dead man, so he says to our dead souls, "Become alive!" to make us spiritually alive in Him.

You see, this is where the FULL glory of God comes in. In saying that we choose God, then we are taking his power away from Him and saying, "You didn't choose me, I chose you!" But this simply isn't true! We can't choose God, and saying that we can is taking the credit away from him. But when we say, "Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for choosing me! I don't deserve salvation but you gave it to me, not because of who I am but because of who you are!" If we don't say that, then we are not giving God the full glory that he deserves.

Now, in my experience, a lot of people do not like this doctrine because they have a loved one that is not following Jesus and they are scared for them. They think, "Well if my loved one isn't predestined to be a Christian, then there is no hope for them!" But, this is reverse thinking. Predestination gives us WAY more hope for lost loved ones than if it were up to them to choose God. Why? Because it is completely up to God to save! Therefore, it doesn't matter how messed up or bad or far from God someone is. God can save anyone! So everyone has the exact same chance of getting saved as anyone does. Think of the person that you know who is the furthest from God; further than anyone you know. They hate Him, reject Him, don't want anything to do with Him. You might think that there is no way that they will come to know Jesus. But guess what? It isn't up to them; it's up to God! They have the same hope of salvation as you and I do! Predestination levels the playing field. No one is beyond Hope! No one is beyond the reach of God! No matter how far your loved one seems to be from God, He can still make them alive and remove their blindness! How great is that? This is what happened to Paul on the road to Damascus. He wasn't searching for God, He wasn't even close! In fact, He was killing Christians. And then God said, "POW!" And he was changed! That should give us immense hope!

This is really long already and there is a lot more I could say. But let me finish by giving you two great resources for further study.

The sermon, "The Called Of Christ and the Loved Of God, Part 1" by John Piper is the best sermon I have ever heard on this subject. Please listen to this! www.desiringgod.org

The sermon, "Predestination" by Mark Driscoll is the second best sermon I have ever heard on this subject. www.marshillchurch.org

Journals, Computers and Doctrine...Huh?

2008-01-16T10:29:00.000-08:00

You may think the the three things mentioned above are not related in any way...well they're not. But they apply to my life at the moment.

For years now I have wanted to start journaling. Everyday or so, write down life experiences, thoughts, ponderings, what I'm learning from the bible, lyrics...you know, whatever comes to mind. Well I finally bought one. I am quite excited about this. Maybe, every once in a while I will post a particularly interesting or insightful journal entry here. But probably not too often...too personal.

In August, my iBook computer of over 6 years finally crashed. So, since then, I have been saving up to buy a new Mac. Well, today I finally bought one! It is an iMac with a 20 inch display, 2 GHrz processor, 2GB RAM, and 320 GB hard drive. It will be AWESOME...but not as awesome as what I am going to say next!

So I have been studying some fairly deep theological issues as of late, and it is so great! There are lights going on in my brain everywhere. For example, I have been studying the imputation of Christ's righteousness. What an amazing doctrine! Basically, it states that through our faith in Christ, we are connected to Him and through that connection, His righteousness has been imputed on to us (if you are a Christian). So, our standing before God has nothing to do with us actually being righteous, because we are counted as righteous through an alien righteousness that is not our own...namely, the righteousness of Christ. That is why he lived a perfect life. To count His righteousness as ours through our faith in Him! How awesome is that? And how secure should that make us feel? Our righteousness does not rise when our faith is strong and fall when our faith is week. Why? Because it has nothing to do with us! It isn't our righteousness. Our righteous standing before God is based on the rock solid foundation of Christ's perfect righteousness that has been counted as ours! And Christ's righteousness never waivers or falters.

Man, if anyone ever tries to tell you that doctrine is over rated and not important and not essential to our Christian life, slap them in the face! It is precisely doctrines such as the imputation of Christ's righteousness that give us hope and joy and security. It is amazing when you actually understand theology. Oh, how deep your faith can become! I am not trying to say these things to puff up my own knowledge and understanding. I am only trying to show the joy and importance of digging in and tackling the deep doctrines of the bible. The rewards are huge!

God Centered? John Piper!

2008-01-13T20:46:00.000-08:00

I said in my last post that the American church is dying because of a lack of God centered, Christ exalting preaching, teaching and worship. Many, maybe even most pastors today do not preach and teach and worship in a way that is radically God centered, and that is why the church is dwindling. So is there anyone out there that does? Is there a pastor that, above all else, exalts the glory of God in the face of Christ? (2 Cor. 4:4-6)

Yes, there are those who do. But John Piper is the most God centered preacher and teacher that I know of, bar-none, no question about it. I would recommend everything ever written by Him to you. He has helped me see the bible and what it says in a way that has changed how I view salvation, God's love, our love for God, joy, delight, sin, missions, grace...and the list goes on.

So if you are seeking teaching that exalts God above everything else, please visit www.desringgod.org

The Sad State Of Things

2008-01-11T07:32:00.001-08:00

So the other day, I attended this Christian leadership seminar and the guy who was leading it started with this quote from George Barna. It made me more than slightly upset:

"The American church is dying due to a lack of strong leadership. In this time of unprecedented opportunity and plentiful resources, the church is actually losing influence. The primary reason is the lack of leadership. Nothing is more important than leadership."

I just want to start right off by saying that that is a bunch of bull-ony! I didn't even really hear what he said in the rest of the seminar, I was so upset. Now I do agree with him that the American church is dying. But it isn't dying because we have a lack of leadership. We have leaders coming out of our ears. It's dying because of the very attitude that this quote conveys; that leadership and techniques and the next big trend are more important than a pervading attitude of Christ exultation and God centerdness in the church.

To say that "leadership is the most important thing" is blasphemous and the very reason for the sad state of the American church. O, that the church would stop exalting man above his rightful status as the one being saved and start exalting Christ as the center of everything we do! We have abandoned this in favor of fluffy stories, books on leadership and weak, man centered worship. God centered worship, preaching, and teaching are what is going to save the church, not another charismatic leader!

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth." ~ Psalm 57:5

Birthday

2008-01-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I'm 24 today. It's kinda funny how unimportant my birthday is to me anymore. I didn't even remember that it was my "big day" today until I opened up my Facebook and saw 17 "Happy Birthday" wishes this morning.

Ah, Facebook...nothing like digital friendships to make a guy feel loved. (heavy sarcasm)

Anyway, that's all I have time for. I'm going to Districts today...wohoo!

Travel Log...Kind Of

2008-01-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

So here is a bunch of random things that I have learned over my past two weeks of travel. Some are deep...most aren't. I've noticed that a lot of my blog posts tend to be really random. Oh well, it's your fault for reading.

My car gets ridiculously good gas mileage. I love Hondas!

I never, ever want to get a tattoo. Thank you, Jon for helping me solidify this in my mind.

Juno is one of the best movies I've seen all year. I know, Trav, I say that a lot...but I really mean it this time!

Good Italian food is always best with a good glass of wine...and tiramisu for dessert.

Dinkytown and Uptown are really, really cool places.

Sometimes I wish I lived in a big city. Then I deal with bumper to bumper traffic everywhere I go and I change my mind.

My sister is getting way to old way to fast!

I really enjoy playing basketball...but I am not in nearly good enough shape!

I have a great family.

Skiing is really fun...but it is so much more fun when you can do it with fun people!

$130 in gift cards does not go very far at American Eagle.

Guitar Hero 3 is really awesome! But some of the songs on 2 are better.

Neillsville is smaller than I pictured..but still cool, mostly because of the people who live there.

The Wentz's have the best dog in the world...and the most annoying bird, too. It pooped on my shirt.

Having the flu really, really sucks. But it is at least a tad bit more tolerable when you can be in the house of a family that you love. Thanks, Fischers!

Seeing a dead, bloody dog on the side of the road disturbs me more than I thought it would...Cullen, too.

I don't like drama...and I don't mean the movies.

I am SO grateful to have all of the friends that I was able to see on my trip. Thank you for being who you are.

Travel

2007-12-19T06:53:00.000-08:00

Today I am leaving to travel for an extended period of time. I am going to visit many different friends and family around Christmas and New Years. I am throughly excited!

That's really all that I have to say...not very talkative today.

Skiboards?

2007-12-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

You know, there are just some things in this world that make me WAY to excited...like the fact that I just bought new skiboards. For the past three seasons, I have owned some decent ones...you know, good all around intermediate boards. But these new ones...WOOT! They are 10 cm longer and 4 cm wider than my old ones which makes them perfectly set up for riding back country, powder, and spring conditions, which are my favorite things to do!

BUT, when it comes down to it, why in the world are these stupid little things making me so freakin' excited? You know, sometimes I wish I would get this excited about God. I mean, skiboards? No eternal significance whatsoever.

Don't get me wrong...it isn't wrong to get excited about new stuff. But how excited should we really get? I guess it comes down to what we truly worship...what we get our real pleasure from. Stuff or God?

"If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far to easily pleased." ~ C.S. Lewis

Skiboards? Who needs them...give me Christ! Philippians 3:7-8

Examine Yourself

2007-12-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

I have been doing lot of pondering lately...I mean serious soul searching. I've been listening to a few sermons and reading my Bible and this is what I have been contemplating...how are we saved?

I mean, do we really just have to pray a prayer and then it's taken care of? And when we doubt, is all we really have to do for assurance to look at the date that we prayed the prayer in the back of our bible and then tell the devil to get off our back? Or could that be the greatest deception in the history of the church, especially in America?

Could it be that we are supposed to examine the fruits of our lives to see if we have actually been changed? Could it be that we need to test ourselves daily by the scriptures to see if our lives match up? Could it actually be that it doesn't matter one BIT whether we say that we know Jesus, but all that matters is if He knows us? (Matt. 7)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

Examine yourself...

Ramblings

2007-11-20T13:30:00.000-08:00

I went hunting this past weekend for my first time. It was quite the experience. I shot two deer which I guess is pretty good for a first timer. And both of them were one shot kills. It was a huge adrenaline rush. But I won't bore you anymore with stories about me sitting out in the freezing cold woods and getting sick, cuz you probably don't want to here about that.

I can't wait for snow. If it's gonna be cold, there might as well be snow on the ground.

I just got the complete second season of LOST. I figure that if I'm gonna own a TV show on DVD then it might as well be the best TV show ever created.

You know what I figured out about myself? I like authenticity. If something or someone is fake or putting up a front to impress someone or if it/he/she is being manipulative to try and get a certain response...I really hate that. I think thats why I hate most musicals (like Wicked or Rent or The Seussical). They are so...plastic and contrived. They make me want to gag myself. I think thats why I love Damien Rice and MuteMath. Raw, emotional, unapologetic about what they are. I really value that.

Lame Title

2007-11-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

I have decided that when I enter heaven, I want the piece "My Noble Knight" to be playing. It is from the movie, The Mighty and it is one of the most beautiful pieces of music that I have ever heard.

I know, lame title right..."My Noble Knight"? You would think that it is some sappy love song by Celine Dion. Well, it isn't. Listen to it and you'll see what I mean...

Holiness

2007-11-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

I am overcome by the weight of holiness. I gaze into the character of God and I see nothing but absolute, sheer, blinding perfection. That falls on me heavy. The holiness of God cannot be overstated.

And then I think, "Why would God want to have fellowship with me?" I mean, I claim to be a follower of Christ and a child of God, and yet many times I relate to Him half-heartedly and without passion. He demands perfection, and I treat his commands with less than steel resolve. He commands reverence, and so often I treat Him like Santa Clause or just another guy on the street...just someone to talk to. He commands my undivided worship and devotion, and what do I do? I trade the INFINITE joy that comes with worshiping Him for the things of this world. I worship money, pleasure, friends, popularity when all of my needs and even wants could be so easily met by a God who desires my joy.

I trade the truth of God for a lie.

Seriously, I am so far from holy, I don't even want to think about it. I deserve the fate of Nadab and Abihu, who were immediately struck dead for treating the commands of God half-heartedly and flippently. I deserve the death of Aninias and Saphira for so often coming to God and people with a deceptive heart (as if I could ever deceive God!). And most of all, I deserve to take the place of Christ on the cross for every sin that I have ever committed.

But here's the crazy part...I AM STILL ALIVE!!! I commit all of these grievous acts against the character of God, and still he gives me this beautiful, undeserved, unspeakable grace...why? I mean, I try to follow him, and walk on the narrow way through the narrow gate. I desire to walk in his ways...and yet sometimes I stray. But God is always there to pick me up and put me back on the path. Why does he do that...he doesn't have to! You know What? I have NO IDEA!!!! And yet he sustains me with this grace. And what's more, he desires for me to become his child and friend. WHAT?!?! You guys, this absolutely blows my mind! I have no idea why he gives me this grace, but he does. This completely, utterly, perfect God!

And then I look at the world and I think about how backwards we think. You see no one lives up the the perfection of God. No one is holy, and therefore any good thing, including life itself, that happens to us is undeserved grace. And yet most people, even some Christians, walk around and live their lives as if they deserve what they have. And then someone dies, or they get really sick, or a tsunami happens and people look toward God, shake their fists, and yell, "WHERE WERE YOU?!?! YOU SHOULD HAVE...!!! WHY DIDN'T YOU...?!?!"

How utterly arrogant we are...

It's so backwards! We EXPECT Gods grace and recoil at His justice. It should be the other way around. We should fall flat on our faces before God in worship, and cry out to Him, "THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I should be dead, but I am not! I don't deserve You, and yet here You are! Thank You!"

Lord Jesus, I cannot begin to repay You for Your grace, for then it would not be grace at all. Instead, I humbly bow and continue to be blown away by your love. Why you love me, I will never know. But I do know this...that until I die, by faith, I will continue to strive to be more and more like you...to be more and more holy.

Always Yours,

Nick<><

Ear Plugs

2007-11-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

So you know how people say that the lessons you learn the best are the one you learn by experience? Well, I learned one like that today...

If you are going to shoot a .270 deer rifle, you should wear ear plugs. It's loud, trust me. I tried to listen to a CD afterward, and it sounded out of tune...that shouldn't happen.

This better not be permanent...

Inadequate Words

2007-11-06T19:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a concert or heard a song or looked at a painting or read a sentence, and something within you feels like it's being turned and twisted and your soul is about to break? Well, I have...

I don't know, maybe I'm being over dramatic or Emo or something, but I've felt it...label me how you will.

Weaver At The Loom is amazing...something about their music does that to me. It's not that their lyrics are incredibly profound or that their groundbreaking musically...I don't know, I suppose I can't really explain what I'm feeling, so I won't do it the injustice of putting it into inadequate words. Maybe if I was C.S. Lewis, I could convey what I'm talking about...

I get the same feeling when I read him, too.

This is what I can say. Music is proof that our souls were created for something more than this world has to offer. When that feeling hits me in the gut, I am given a glimpse of something else, something...I don't know, almost other-worldly. I am given a glimpse of a Greater Glory.

The problem is that so often, we as humans focus on the thing that is doing the pointing instead of what it is pointing at...God. If we don't see Him, than we've missed it.

"So let us pray that we not be like the one-year-old who, when daddy points at a flower, looks at his daddy's finger instead." ~ John Piper

Yeah, the flower is so much better than even the best looking finger...

These Streets

2007-11-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

It feels very bizarre to be here again.

I drive around these streets and I feel like I never left...until I see the new billboard on the corner and the new paint job on Festival. I visit my old house and feel at home...and then the new roommate walks in and it just feels weird.

I go to school and see old friends and everything is familiar...and then the new freshmen walks into brass quintet, and it's like a different place.

Change happens whether you're around or not.

Parker is taller than me now...he's fifteen, and its really surreal. He takes drivers ed in a month. Wade doesn't work at church anymore, and Z is leading worship in Video Cafe. There's a mini choir in the sanctuary...and a forest of fake plants.

Fred is engaged. The cross is gone from the hill by Menards, and there's a new Starbucks on the corner by Best Buy.

They are playing a new morning game on the radio. For the past 13 years, there was "The Brain Game." Then I move and they start playing "You Can't Win".

It's funny how change can take a place that you've known most of your life and turn it into someplace different...well, almost.

At least Jewel's is still there. And Jake still has his same crazy-afro-hair. And at least I still feel at home at the Fischer's and Mary-Kaye still makes great cookies. The stop light at the corner by the church is still to long and those obnoxious signs for "The Shrine of the Lady Of Guadalupe" haven't gone anywhere. Tylor still sings everywhere he goes, and Tammy is still flustered by Pinnell classes. Vinnie is still fat.

Parker might be taller than me, but I can still take him.

Yeah, it's good to be home...

Third Person Affections

2007-11-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

Nick is going to visit people that he loves today...

This makes Nick happy.

Thoughts On Music - or - I'm Sorry I'm So Random

2007-11-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

Damien Rice is a genius...I think I really mean that. His music is kind of indescribable, at least for me. I can't quite describe how it makes me feel, but it's definitely good.

I just wrote a new piano piece. It is in D Lydian. I think that Lydian mode could be used more in jazz improv...I'll have to work on that, maybe I'll hit it big.

I don't know how it's possible for MuteMath to put on such a mind blowing live show. They are so tight, and Darren is one of the best rock drummers I've seen play live. Plus, I think Paul Meanny has at least two Rhodes, which is sweet...not to mention a key-tar.

Country sucks...

The other day, I divided 6/4 time by 7/8 time and I got pi...my mind was blown!

Whoever had the idea to give Kenny G a record contract should be shot at dawn...either that or be locked in a room with nothing but Kenny G albums.

Speaking of saxophone players, a lot of people think that when John Coltrane started playing out in his later music, he started sucking. I disagree. Sure, he was playing way out there, but he is allowed to do that because he payed his dues playing amazing jazz within the realm of tonality. So, if he wants to play out, thats fine, because at least he knows what he is doing.

4'33" is one of the most innovative pieces ever. John Cage is very, very entertaining.

Does anyone else not understand why Michael Buble is so freakin' popular?

John Mayer is starting to play small clubs around New York. One of his goals is to play one new song at every show. He said that it is weird to be staring down at lyrics that you wrote 5 hours ago while you are on stage...I can imagine.

I want to learn the Bass.

Art is completely subjective...performance is not.

Frost

2007-11-01T12:51:00.001-07:00

Earlier today, I walked outside to get the mail with bare feet. The grass between the door and the mailbox was covered in frost.

After walking there and back, I decided that walking on frosty grass with bare feet is an experience that no one should miss...trust me.
; )

A Blank Slate

2007-11-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

So, I have a blog. I don't really know what I'm going to do with a blog, but I have one anyway. I guess I just want a place where I can share my life with people who care...

...who knows who will ever read this thing.

The notes function on Facebook is lame...no one pays attention to notes. Everyone is to concerned with their "rate you friend" and "quizzes" applications to notice a note tucked away down at the bottom of your profile. It's not a blog, so I guess I shouldn't treat it like one. Hopefully this will be better...

Nick<><